PARSONSBURG, Md.- Wicomico County Public Library will have a new branch in Parsonsburg, named the Lewis R. Riley Library.
Born in Parsonsburg in 1935, Riley was elected to the Wicomico County Council from 1966 to to 1978. Riley was then elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from 1979 to to 1987. Riley served in the State Senate from 1987 to 1992. Riley then earned what he called his ‘dream job’, Maryland’s Secretary of Agriculture from 2003 to 2007.
Riley’s daughter Terri Riley-Jones says it is an honor for her father to be remembered in this way.
"We were just proud of and hopeful that future generations will remember what he did for Parsonsburg," saud Riley-Jones.
"Hardworking. Common sense. He was a Christian, farmer, and community leader," said Riley-Jones. "He would be humble. He was not a you know, he was a dirt farmer is what he said. So I mean he would be happy about it but he would be humble."
Library Director Seth Hershberger says Lewis Riley was an easy choice.
"Mr. Riley was the obvious choice. And a lot of members of the council and members of the other members of the community suggested that it would be a really good fit. And certainly we're excited for the opportunity for the library to be associated with his legacy and the connection to his family too," said Hershberger.
Hershberger says the county hopes to complete the library by November.